|
11.03.2006 at 14:00 Oriel Park, Dundalk
|
Attendance: |
|
Ireland Under 16 |
1 - 1
|
N Ireland
|
|
Referee: |
Friendly / PROG-match |
Kevin O'Brien
Shane O Connor
Anthony Bruce
Mark Nolan
Paul Honohan
David Joyce
Conor Mc Cormack
Dean Marshall
James O'Brien
Ian Daly
Michael Collins
|
Conor Devlin,
Andy King,
Richard Vauls,
Chris Ramsey,
Nevin Spence,
Paul Gallagher,
Willie Faulkner,
Eunan O'Kane,
Dean Mc Cormack,
Patrick Mc Laughlin,
Brian Mc Caul |
Vinny Butlers squad had a creditabal draw against Norther Ireland on Saturday on the all weather pitch in Dundalk. The game was transferred to Dundalk at late notice due to the pitch in Armagh being unplayable.
Northern Ireland came into this game with a strong team having jointly won the victory shield after a win over Scotland and drawing with England. It was left to Ireland to win the trophy outright but they came a cropper against Wales.
Bellurgan midfielder Conor McCormack slotted home a second half penalty to earn the Republic Under-16 'A's team draw against their Northern counterparts in Oriel Park.
Northern Ireland substitute Chris Curran had given his side the lead ten minutes after coming on at half-time but McCormack was presented with the chance of equalising with 20 minutes left when striker Ian Daly was brought down in the penalty area.
He stepped up to take the kick and powered it past 'keeper Conor Devlin who got his hands to the effort but couldn't stop it from crossing the line.
Irish senior manager Steve Staunton attended the game and would have been pleased with the style and passion displayed by Vincent Butler's side.
With captain James O'Brien dominant in midfield, alongside McCormack, the Republic enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half without creating many opportunities.
They were left stunned when Chris Curran put Northern Ireland in front early in the second half with a terrific volley that gave goalkeeper Kevin O'Brien no chance.
To their credit, the Republic responded well and began to translate their good play into worthwhile chances but were thwarted by the heroics of Northern Ireland net-minder Conor Devlin.
The second half in particular saw saw the Republic command midfield and to be honest had enough cahnces to win the game with Daly, Byrne and Marshall all wasting good chances.
Manager Vincent Butler was happy with his side's display: "We played some good football but our finishing should have been better. Northern Ireland have a good team and have already shown that this season by beating England but today, we were unlucky not to win."
REP OF IRELAND 'A': Kevin O'Brien (Douglas Hall FC), Anthony Bruce (West Brom), Mark Nolan (Shelbourne), Paul Honohan (Wilton), David Joyce (Castlebar C), Dean Marshall (Shelbourne), James O'Brien (Cherry Orchard), Conor McCormack (Bellurgan), Shane O'Connor (Wilton Football Club), Michael Collins (Cherry Orchard FC), Ian Daly (Home Farm).
SUBS: Kurtis Byrne (Cherry O) for O'Connor (28), Shane O'Connell (Shelbourne FC), Shane O'Connor (St. Joseph's), Oliver Boylan (Cherry Orchard) and Tony McKay (Baldoyle U) for O'Brien, Honohan, Daly and Nolan (76 mins).
Northern Ireland:Conor Devlin, Andy King, Richard Vauls, Chris Ramsey, Nevin Spence, Paul Gallagher, Willie Faulkner, Eunana O'Kane, dean Mc Cormack, Patrick Mc Laughlin, Brian Mc Caul
Subs: Chris Curran for Gallagher (ht); Aaron Mc Ilwee for Mc CAUL (50) O'Neill for Vauls (59)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-16 1 - 1 NORTHERN IRE U-16
McCormack pen Curran |
|
|
